The Sheld-Ducks. 95 



own behalf, but they give warning to all 

 the other wild fowl in their vicinity by 

 loud and persistent calls. The ordinary 

 cry of this Duck consists of a loud double 

 note. 



The Ruddy Sheld-Duck feeds chiefly 

 at or near the water's edge, and does not 

 apparently go inland to any distance. Its 

 food is very varied, consisting of young 

 grass and corn, water-plants, shells, worms 

 and spawn. It has been accused of 

 eating carrion, but probably does so only 

 on rare occasions. Its flesh has a rank, 

 fishy taste, and is hardly worth eating. 

 When properly skinned, however, before 

 cooking, Mr. Hume tells us that it forms 

 a very tolerable addition to a stew. 



Seebohm thus describes the habits of 

 this Sheld-Duck : — " It is difficult to 

 imagine a more beautiful sight than a pair 

 of Ruddy Sheldrakes with their young, 

 the duck enticing them to follow her in 

 order to hide amongst the reeds, whilst 

 the drake swims about backwards and 

 forwards in an agitated manner, uttering 

 a rather loud and monotonous cry, inter- 

 mediate in sound between that of the 

 syllables kark and kerk. I once surprised 

 a brood of half-grown Ruddy Sheldrakes, 

 at some little distance from the water's 



